Zinnias are one of the easiest annuals to grow, grow quickly, and bloom heavily. They make a massive burst of colour in your garden. Zinnias have bright, solitary, daisy-like flower-heads on a single, erect stem. The most common zinnia is "dahlia-flowered" and grows up to three feet. Other types are "cactus-flowered."

Use in an annual or mixed border. Smaller zinnias are suitable for edging, window-boxes or other containers. The narrow-leaf zinnia also works well in hanging baskets. Easy to grow and reliable, zinnias are bright butterfly magnets that have a long history as favourite flowers of American home gardeners. Indeed, we tend to take these popular flowers for granted, perhaps thinking them too ordinary, stiff or garish or simply not very exciting.

I think that once more gardeners are familiar with the diversity of zinnia flower forms, petal shapes, plant heights and the allure of the rainbow colour palette now available, they will share my new excitement about these familiar garden companions.

Planting & CareEasily grown in humus, evenly moist, well-drained soils in full sun. Sow seed directly in the ground after last frost date and, if desired, at 2-3 week intervals thereafter until the end of June to insure a good season-long bloom. For earlier spring bloom, start seed indoors 4-6 weeks before last frost date.

Some varieties are widely available in cell/six packs from nurseries (small plants that have not yet flowered are best). Plant disease-resistant varieties in hot and humid summer climates such as the St. Louis area. Set out seedlings and purchased plants after last frost date. Pinch young plants to promote compact, bushy form. Good air circulation helps prevent onset of fungal leaf diseases. Deadhead spent flowers to promote additional bloom and maintain plant appearance.

Sunlight: Full sun

Soil: Soil type: Any, Sandy, Loamy

Water: Medium

Temprature: Provide a strong light source until seedlings are ready to plant outside when spring night temperatures rise above 50 F both day and night.

Harvesting: Zinnias generally take 60 to 70 days from seed to flower (though it depends on conditions).

Care:

Deadhead to prolong flowering.

Maintain moderate soil moisture and fertilize lightly.

Zinnias will die with the first frost.

Special Feature:Zinnias are certainly among the easiest flowers for anyone, whether just beginning or experienced in gardening, to germinate and grow directly from seed. Their easy culture, heat tolerance and colourful mid to late summer show, blooming hard when other annuals are spent, make them well worth exploring. Zinnias make superb long-stemmed cutting flowers with long-lasting blooms.

Zinnias are one of the easiest annuals to grow, grow quickly, and bloom heavily. They make a massive burst of colour in your garden. Zinnias seem especially favoured by butterflies, and many gardeners add zinnias specifically to attract them.Use

In general use a soil-based compost placed over a generous layer of drainage material such as earthenware crocks, pebbles or gravel. Water and feed regularly, especially while plants are bearing flowers and fruit, when a high-potash fertilizer is recommended.

Buy Decorative Pebbles :

Decorate planters or garden landscapes with these decorative pebbles :

Using pebbles in a garden brings different colours and textures to the garden. Pebbles can also fill up otherwise empty space in the garden, leaving a visual that might be considered more interesting and aesthetic than simple dirt, soil or mulch.